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Awesome post from the OP, many points are so accurate.
Following the thread drift, I also am concerned about the obsession with ready meals in the UK whenever I visit. Even somewhere like M&S you only have to look at the ingredients list to realise the numerous additions for preservation and flavour, that these things can’t be that great for you. I occasionally buy Heinz tinned beans which is sufficient for my wife to lose her #### with me about buying low quality processed foods.
Meat, Fish and Bread always seems better bought from the independents rather than Coles/Woolworths.
Harris Farm is our go to place for fruit and veg.

I guess it's important to respect that bush fires are a part of the natural cycle here, they are inevitable and when we used to live in a bush fire prone area/house we got the regular notices and have had large fires pretty close to the house at times whilst watching the water bombers coming overhead. Ultimately it's about being prepared and accepting that if it does happen you're life will be turned upside down for a while.

Well in our case for instance, all of our passports are due to expire. We intend to travel in May. We've already paid and submitted a citizenship application. If we don't get the citizenship in time then we'll be forced to renew our international passports and pay for return resident visas for a family of 4, and then pay for Aussie passports when that time comes. We'll be thousands of dollars out of pocket. Hopefully my wife's ceremony is in April, but if not then $$$$
For other people there may be jobs that they want which require them to be a citizen which they miss out on.

I fail to believe that there is not anti-drone warfare technology in the UK that can be deployed at short notice to resolve a drone disturbance at a major airfield. We’ve had drones for years and they operate on fairly straightforward technology, they have RF signals for remote control, they utilise GPS signals for positioning/return to base/geofencing and advanced units may have an inertial navigation system in it if all else fails. RF disruption, GPS blocking and EM pulse equipment is all readily available.
A drone incursion is something that all major airfields should have a system in place to deal with effectively. It’s not like it’s a surprise that it would happen eventually...
So yes I am quite cynical unfortunately. Also having worked for government departments and seen false propaganda and diversion tactics used already i wouldn’t be surprised if it our governments would follow China’s example in a major scale like this.

So despite my wife getting her approval in October, her name hasn't been submitted to the local council for the Australia Day citizenship ceremony. Lake Macquarie Council said they might hold another one in April if they have enough people. It's a little frustrating as we are due to travel in May and it would be a lot easier to travel on Aussie passports then to renew her other ones, get return resident visas and visas for the countries we are visiting (not necessary on an Aussie passport).
I've e-mailed the citizenship e-mail address and also our local MP to try and see if there is a way to get her on the list for Australia Day.

I'm no expert, I just valet park the ships that bring in the fuel, but from conversations with those involved in the supply chain the following is how I understand it works. Around 50% of all fuel in Australia is imported from Korea, Singapore and China, the rest is produced in the 4 remaining refineries. Most of the product coming in meets a certain specification and is sold to multiple distributers here. Additives and ethanol (when its E10) are added before distribution. So yes a Shell, BP, Caltex, Mobil garage could all be selling fuel from the same supplier. I am told that occasionally fuel arrives that has been tested as below specification for BP/Shell and in that case it may still meet Australian standards and be sold through independent suppliers. The premium high ethanol products for BP and Shell are exclusive though.